Beet topper and puller.



- No. 722,484. PATENTED MAR. 10, 1903.

P. BRIGGS.

BBE'I TOPPER AND FULLER. APPLIOATION FILED JUNI: s, 1901.

No MODEL.

Nrrsn STATES ATENT Sterren.

FRANK BRIGGS, OF CARO, MICHIGAN.

BEET TOPPER AND FULLER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N0. 722,484, dated March10, 1903.

Application led .Tune 3, 1901. Serial No. 62.818. (No model.) Y

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK BRIGGS, a citizen of the United States,residing at Caro, county of Tuscola, State of Michigan, have invented acertain new and useful Improvement in Beet Toppers and Pullers; and Ideclare the following to be a full, clear, and eX- act description ofthe invention, such as willl enable others skilled in the art to whichit pertains to make and use the same, reference being had to theaccompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates to an improvement in beet toppers and pullers shownin the drawings and more particularly pointed out in the claims.

Figure l is a side elevation, partly in section, of the machine. Fig. 2is a rear elevation of the same.

The object of my invention is to provide a machine simple in operationthat will readily top the beet While harvesting them. In producing sugarfrom beet-roots only that portion of the root grown below the surface ofthe earth is available. This requires the removal of the leaf-crown, andthis part of the work is called topping. At the present time after thebeets have been removed from the earth this leaf-crown and portion ofthev beet-root which was above the surface of the ground are removed bya knife or other sharp instrument. This process is slow, laborious, andcostly to the producer. The beet-roots are paid for by the ton, theprice paid being regulated by the percentage of sugar in the juice ofthe root. The portion of the root grown above the surface of the earthis very deficient in sugar and when left on the beet reduces thepercentage of sugar. It is therefore desirable that the root be severedat a point just below the lowest leaf-scar. This invention overcomes theloss occasioned by improper topping and removal of too much of the beetand greatly reduces the cost of production and increases the tonnage.

In the drawings, A represents vthe wheels; A', the axle; A2, the tongue;A3, the handles.

B B are hook-shaped frames provided at f the rear with inclinedsubsoil-bars b', adapted to force the beets cut out of the ground, de-5o livering them at the rear of the machine.

C is a concave roll journaled in the frame C.

DDare gears,alsojournaledintheframe C'.

E is a rotary cutter having a vertical vadjustment and mounted on thesame shaft with the gears D.

F is a sprocket-Wheel mounted on the same shaft with lthe gear D anddriven by the sprocket-chain d from the gear D2, mounted on the aXle A.

G represents braces secured to the frame C and sleeved on the axle A',the construction being such as to permit the lateral adjustment, ifdesired.

C2 is a rod secured to the frame C and having a jointed connection withthe tongue A2.

The operation of the machine is as follows: The hook-shaped frames Benter the ground to about the depth of the tap-root, and as the machineis drawn forward the concave roll C passes over the tops of the beet,forcing the leaves on the root forward out of the way while the rotarycutter E cuts off the tops. As the machine moves ahead the inclined barsb' engage the root, forcing it out of the ground, delivering it back ofthe machine. By pivoting the frames B B, as shown, they may be forced toany depth required or raised above the soil, as desired. The concaveroll C serves to force andhold the leaf-top of the beet out of the wayand also lifts the cutter sufciently, so that the cutter will sever thetops from the root at the proper point.

By forming the rotary cutter E dish-shaped, as shown, the cutter willengage the root in such a manner as to sever the top from the lower partof the root in practically a horizontal line.

What I claim is- 1. In a machine of the class described, the combinationof a main driving-shaft bearing two traction-wheels, a pivoted armbearing a sleeve, a vertical shaft mounted in said sleeve and bearing ahorizontal cutter, means for connecting said vertical shaft and saiddriving-shaft, and means for adjusting said arm to regulate said cutter,substantially as described.

2. In a machine of the class described, the and said driving-shaft,substantially as de combination of a driving-shaft bearing two scribed.1o traction Wheels, a pivoted arm bearing a In testimony whereof I signthis specicasleeve provided with upwardlyextending tion in the presenceof two Witnesses.

5 l(xmms, a first pinion mounted between said FRANK BRIGGS.

arms, a vertical shaft; mounted in said sleeve Witnesses: and bearing apinion meshing with said first T. C. QUINN, pinion, means for connectingsaid first pinion F. A. WHEAT.

